The beers of summer

Arriving in Galveston on a blazing Saturday afternoon, we wanted to pick up something that would go down easy on the beach-house deck that our friends Kelly and Rob had invited us to. After surveying what the Spec’s on 61st Street had to offer, we decided on a couple of Texas beers, including the new Shiner Smokehaus:

Brewed with pale malt that’s been smoked with native mesquite in the backyard of our little brewery in Shiner, Texas (pop. 2,070), this refreshing Helles-style beer has a smoky flavor that goes great with all the flavors of summer.

I’d had a small sample at the Mashtronauts meeting in Webster earlier in the week and was eager to try a full 12 ounces. The Smokehaus has a pronounced taste that, as someone noted, is like having barbecue and beer in one package. And, at 4.89 ABV and 16 IBU, it’s a drinkable option for a day out with friends.

It’s an interesting offering from the Spoetzel Brewery, a Texas institution that, celebrating its 100th anniversary, has earned the label “venerable.”

But is Smokehaus, as the label promises, “the perfect sommer bier”? No, I’m still looking for that one. Any recommendations?

OUR OTHER CHOICE Saturday was a safer bet, the popular Firemans #4 from Blanco brewery Real Ale:

This refreshing blonde ale strikes a perfect balance among the smoothness of the malt, the subtle fruitiness of our house ale yeast, and zesty citrus notes from Crystal hops. Firemans #4 is a great way to beat the heat – enjoy it on a Texas summer day, or pair it with spicy foods to help put out the fire. ABV: 5.1%, IBU: 21, OG(plato): 12

Whenever I recommend Firemans #4 to folks, I always hear back how much they enjoyed it. That said, I have to admit that on Saturday I first grabbed Real Ale’s excellent Full Moon Pale Rye Ale but put the six-pack back when I noticed the freshness date was in April.

GALVESTON UPDATE: The island needs, and I think deserves, your support this summer as it continues to recover from Hurricane Ike. A lot of work remains to be done, but we saw plenty of positive momentum.

The beach was lined with green umbrellas and lots of tourists to take refuge underneath. Murdochs Pier is framed up and looks to be at least on target for its announced 2010 reopening. And, of particular relief to me, Mod Coffeehouse is back open, with expanded capacity and expanded hours. We were there for coffee Sunday morning, but I happily spied several bottles of Saint Arnold Elissa in the refrigerator.